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United States Patent |
5,220,269
|
Chen
,   et al.
|
June 15, 1993
|
Power supply unit
Abstract
A portable, handheld power supply unit is disclosed for electrically
powering a variety of interconnectable accessory devices. The unit
comprises a power supply body having a battery disposed therein. The body
is provided with a bracket disposed on the body side portion for engaging
and supporting accessory devices. The side bracket is provided with
electrical contacts formed therein for communicating power between the
battery and an accessory device supported by the bracket. A recharging
plug connected to the internal battery is stowable within a handle portion
and extendable to connect the battery to an external charging circuit. An
output socket is also disposed on the body and serves as an alternate port
for communicating power from the body to external accessory devices.
Inventors:
|
Chen; Ieon C. (Laguna Hills, CA);
Wilson; Michael (Mission Viejo, CA)
|
Assignee:
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Innova Electronics Corporation (Fountain Valley, CA)
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Appl. No.:
|
771684 |
Filed:
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October 4, 1991 |
Current U.S. Class: |
320/112; 224/902; 224/930; 307/150 |
Intern'l Class: |
A45F 005/00; H02J 007/00 |
Field of Search: |
320/2
224/902
307/150
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
1984398 | Dec., 1934 | Dame | 429/97.
|
2978596 | Apr., 1961 | Robirds | 320/2.
|
3919615 | Nov., 1975 | Niecke | 320/2.
|
3963972 | Jun., 1976 | Todd | 320/2.
|
Other References
Radio Shack Catalog--1990 p. 10-"Cellular Telephone CT-201".
|
Primary Examiner: Hickey; R. J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Stetina and Brunda
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A portable, handheld power supply unit for electrically powering a
variety of interconnectable accessory devices, comprising:
a power supply body having a battery disposed therein, the body further
having first and second side portions, a front portion, a rear portion and
a handle portion;
a first bracket disposed on the body first side portion for engaging and
supporting a first accessory devices, said first bracket having electrical
contacts formed therein for communicating power between the battery and
the first accessory device;
said bracket forming a longitudinal channel extending along said body first
side portion for opposing movement of the first accessory device from the
power supply body other than along the longitudinal channel;
a recharging plug stowable within the handle portion, said recharging plug
being operative to communicate power between an external charging circuit
and the battery; and
an output socket disposed on the body front portion for communicating power
from the battery to an external accessory device.
2. The power supply unit as recited in claim 1 further comprising a second
bracket disposed on the body second side portion for receiving and
engaging a second accessory device.
3. The power supply unit as recited in claim 2 wherein said first and
second brackets have substantially the same construction.
4. The power supply unit as recited in claim 1 further comprising an output
socket disposed on the body front portion, said output socket being
operative to communicate power between the battery and an accessory
device.
5. The power supply unit as recited in claim 1 wherein the first bracket
extends vertically along said body first side portion.
6. The power supply unit as recited in claim 5 wherein the longitudinal
channel extends vertically along said body first side portion.
7. The power supply unit as recited in claim 1 wherein said channel is
formed intermediate said body first side portion and the first bracket.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a power supply unit and, more particularly
to a portable handheld power supply that is useful to supply power to a
variety of different components connectable to the unit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A variety of different portable power supplies are presently available.
Such power supplies are typically configured to have an output jack for
interconnection to the unit to be powered, e.g. a light or video
equipment. Though such devices provide an adequate power source, they do
not integrate the functions of the power source and the product being
powered. Thus, the user must carry a power source separate and apart from
the various devices to be powered. This is clearly cumbersome and
inconvenient. Moreover, it is not uncommon that the configuration of the
power supply output jack is inconsistent with the input jack of the device
being powered. Consequently, a variety of different adaptors are
frequently necessary in order to effectively interconnect the power supply
and the device being powered.
The present invention is intended to address these and other deficiencies
commonly found in portable power supplies, resulting in a product that is
not only electrically functional to power a variety of different devices,
but which is also convenient and practical to use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A portable, handheld power supply unit is disclosed for electrically
powering a variety of interconnectable accessory devices. The unit
comprises a power supply body having a battery disposed therein. The body
is provided with a bracket disposed on the body side portion for engaging
and supporting accessory devices. The side bracket is provided with
electrical contacts formed therein for communicating power between the
battery and an accessory device supported by the bracket. A recharging
plug connected to the internal battery is stowable within a handle portion
and extendable to connect the battery to an external charging circuit. An
output socket is also disposed on the body and serves as an alternate port
for communicating power from the body to external accessory devices.
In the presently preferred embodiment the power supply unit is provided
with a pair of brackets, one on each side portion, for receiving and
supporting accessory devices. A first bracket is provided with electrical
contacts to power the interconnected accessory device. The second bracket
serves only to support an accessory device. Other than the absence of
electrical contacts on the second bracket, both the first and second
brackets have substantially the same construction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a portable power supply formed in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the power supply shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side view of the power supply shown at FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the invention showing interconnected
components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended
drawings is intended merely as a description of the presently preferred
embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only
form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The
description sets forth the functions and sequence of steps for
construction and implementation of the invention in connection with the
illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or
equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different
embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and
scope of the invention.
FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a power supply 11 formed in
accordance with the invention, with the charging plug in a stowed
configuration and without any interconnected devices. As shown therein the
portable power supply 11 includes a body 13 having side portions 15, 17,
front portion 19, rear portion 21 and handle portion 23. A rechargeable
internal battery, such a sealed lead-acid rechargeable battery is disposed
within the housing 13 and is typically operative to generate a 12-volt DC
output. The output from the power supply 11 may be communicated via an
output socket disposed beneath socket cover 29, or alternatively by means
of output contact 31 formed within modular side bracket 33. The power
supply 11 is preferably also provided with an adjustable shoulder strap 39
to facilitate carrying the power pack 11.
Input power to charge the power supply 11 may be provided by plug 35
disposable within aperture 43 formed in handle portion 23. The plug 35 is
connectable to a vehicle cigarette lighter socket. The plug 35 may
alternatively be connectable to an AC adaptor, e.g. a 1000 mA AC adaptor.
The power supply 11 may also be rechargeable from a solar power source
connectable to the output socket 27. In the presently preferred embodiment
the power supply 11 is provided with on/off switch 39, system ready
indicator 41, recharging indicator 43 and low battery and charge fuse
indicator 45. However, it should be understood that various of the
indicator circuits and displays can be eliminated, modified or
supplemented without departing from the broader aspects of the invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates modular side bracket 37 disposed on side portion 17 of
the power supply 11. In the presently preferred embodiment one of the side
brackets 33, 37 is provided with a DC output contacts and the other side
bracket has no electrical contact. Consequently, one of the side brackets
may be used to support and carry a component, while the other also serves
to provide power to the connected component. It will be recognized,
however, that contacts may be provided in both side brackets, if desired.
A channel 43 is formed intermediate the side bracket 37. The channel 43
extends vertically along the length of the side portion 17, intermediate
the side portion 17 and bracket 37. The channel 43 is useful to receive
and engage mating brackets on accessory devices to hold the accessory
devices in place, opposing perpendicular movement of the accessory devices
from the power supply unit 11.
As illustrated at FIG. 3 the recharging plug 35 may be stowed within the
handle portion 23 thus permitting convenient storage and deployment while
and avoiding the need for separate connection of the recharging plug. FIG.
3 also illustrates the output contacts 31 formed within side bracket 33.
As accessory devices engage bracket 33 they also make electrical contact
with contacts 31 thereby communicating power from the power supply 11 to
the accessory device.
FIG. 4 illustrates the power supply 11 interconnected to a fluorescent
lantern 39 and rechargeable battery 41. As previously indicated the
fluorescent lantern 39 is electrically connected to and supported by the
power supply 11 via a modular side bracket 33. Rechargeable battery 41 is
supported by the power supply 11 via modular side bracket 37. In the
illustrated embodiment only the modular side bracket 33 incorporates an
electrical connection to the power supply internal battery, and therefore
only the fluorescent lantern 39 is connected to the internal battery in
this configuration. However, it should be clear that the position of
fluorescent lantern 39 and rechargeable battery 41 can readily be switched
in order to provide available power to the rechargeable battery 41.
As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the internal circuitry
of the power supply 11 may be selected and varied as convenient without
departing from the broader aspects of the invention. Additionally, it
should also be understood that the power supply 11 may be used in
conjunction with a variety of different accessory devices in addition to
the illustrated device, i.e. fluorescent lantern 39 and rechargeable
battery 41. As presently contemplated the power supply 11 may also be used
in connection with various devices such as an emergency flashlight,
first-aid kit, multi-purpose container, fluorescent lantern, radio, siren,
emergency radio, other devices. Moreover, the power supply 11 may be
connected by wire, via output socket 27, to a large number of additional
devices such as a portable television, CB radio, air compressor, vacuum
cleaner, hand drill or other devices.
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